Temporary

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Overhang Rock for a Clan meeting!" caterwauled the black she-cat. The sun beat down on the ground weakly, for leaf-fall had it's grip on the forest. Cats streamed out of the den, high pitched squeals of excitement drifted from the nursery as Nightstorm, Lightfeather, and Silverstorm led the kits to the outer edge of the clearing. They tumbled about, pawing up dust that hung lazily in the air.
"Stop!" hissed one of the queens as quietly as possible, but every cat's gaze was starring at them. Another yowl from Tornadostar brought the attention back to her.
"As you all know," she began solemnly, "Wildpaw is missing and Moonleaf seems to have gone after her. Their whereabouts are unknown, but I plan to keep that temporary. We will find them, I promise." Cats exchanged doubtful glances at one another, not knowing if their leader really thought the apprentice and mentor would be found.
"What else do you have to tell us? We know you didn't just call a meeting to tell us what we already know!" Swiftwing stepped forward, challenging her leader with a hard stare. Tornadostar dipped her head in acknowledgement.
"Yes, you are right, Swiftwing, but next time let me finish," she replied calmly, a veiled warning was laced in with her words. Swiftwing hissed and sat down, meowing something into her brother's ear. Tornadostar raised her tail for her Clan's attention once more and opened her jaws to continue.
"I have good news, also," she meowed, a hint more warmth in her gaze as she spoke. "Leopardshadow has just told me she is expecting Darkshadow's kits and I am to appoint a temporary head warrior. The temporary head warrior is Graymuzzle!" The she-cat nodded at the tom and disappeared into her den, Stargaze on her tail to discuss something unknown.

~♥~

The she-cat advanced, claws extended. Her lips were pulled back in a snarl and her eyes gleamed dangerously. Wildpaw backed up, stumbling over a tendril of brambles.

"Ouch!" she mewed as she stumbled backward and landed in a heap of fur. The sandy colored she-cat hissed as Wildpaw scrambled to her paws, trying to desperately untangle herself from the thorns.

"Look, I mean no harm! I'm not a threat!" Wildpaw told her as she freed her self from the thorn imprisonment. The two kits mewed pitifully and struggled to find their mother. The she-cat's eyes softened as she looked over her shoulder at the mewling kits, her gaze hardening as it locked on Wildpaw again. Wildpaw's neck fur started to bristle and she instinctively slid out her claws. Uh-oh! Wrong move! she thought as the vicious she-cat hissed in rage and flattened her ears.

"I'll leave you alone! Just let me go!" Wildpaw begged. She watched the she-cat sigh and sheathe her claws.

"I'm sorry," the she-cat meowed quietly. "My mate left when I had my kits and we're starving."

Sympathy welled up in Wildpaw.

"I can catch you something!" she offered excitingly as her belly rumbled. The she-cat curled up around her kits and looked at her astonished.

"Yes, please!" she exclaimed. "I'm Pudding and this is Brownie and Milky!" She pointed to her kits, one dark brown and one light cream like Pudding was. Wildpaw nodded and went to hunt.